Electric switch.



M. J. QUiNN.

ELECTRIC SWITCH. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 12, 1916.

Patented July 2, 1916.

i OFFICE.

MARTIN J. QUINN, TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 2, 1918.

Application filed June is, 1916. Serial 1%. 103,194.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, MARTIN J. QUINN, of the city of Toronto, in the county of York and Province of Ontario, Dominion of Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Switches; and I hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

This invention relates to a pressure-motor operated electric switch, automatically opening and closing an electric circuit, and'it consists essentially of a switchboard having two relatively stationary contacts thereon, with which are connected appropriate conductors, two movable contacts opposed to the stationary contacts and carried by an insulated support movable toward and away from the stationary contacts when closing or opening the circuit, the insulated support being preferably arranged to swin a hinge bar, or its mechanicalequlvalent, mounted in a bracket fastened to the switchboard, and actuated by a s ring connected to the insulated supportan to an oscillating membermounted on a shaft rocked by the motor, the rock shaft having a member engaged by an arm loosely mounted on the rock shaft with a lost motion connection, this arm being actuated by a lever with which it has an adjustable connection, the lever being fulcrumed to an appropriate support and actuated by the motor, as hereinafter set forth and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings Figure 1, is a sectional elevation of the switch and motive mechanism;

Fig. 2, is a side elevation of the switch showing in full line's the oscillatin member with the movable contacts close against the stationary contacts, and showing in dotted lines the position of the parts when the switch is open, and also the neutral position of the oscillating member; and

Fi 3, is a side elevation of the switch, showing the means for actuating the rock shaft.

Like charactersof reference refer to like parts throughout the specification and drawings.

board are secured two relatively stationary contacts I), to which appropriate conductors from- A suitable switchboard (LlS employed to mount the electrical parts, and to the switch- Opposed to the stationary contacts 6 are two movable contacts 0 carried alternately into open and closed relationwith thestationary contacts by a movable support. This movable support consists of an insulated bar at, to which the movable contactsc are secured, and a forked arm 6, to which the insulated bar is clamped. Passing through the forks e of the arm 6, is a hinge bar f, mounted in an appropriate bracket g, secured to the switchboard a, whereby the insulated support may swing alternately toward and away from the stationary contacts I), to close the movable contacts against the stationary contacts, or separate them therefrom, for respectively closing and opening the circuit.

The stationary contacts 6 are seated on electrical terminals 6, and the movable contacts c are provided with binding screws 0 for the flexible connectors h, leading to the terminals 2' for the conductors 2' through which the circuit is to be closed.

The bracket 9 is of a box-shape formation, and is provided with lugs g through which the fastening screws 57 are inserted into the switchboard to secure it thereto, the hinge bar f being mounted in its sides g in parallel relation with the insulated bar (Z, and the side g", remote from and parallel with the switchboard a, being elongated to serve as a stop for limiting the outward movement, of the insulated bar when the movable contacts are being carried away from the stationary contacts, this box-shape formation of the bracket 9 providing a convenient means for mounting the movable parts and maintaining them in their assembled relation.

As shown in Fig. 1, the forks e of the arm 6 are of substantially the same width as the distance between the inner faces of the sides g, and by abutting against these sides, are maintained in correct position upon the hinge bar without the employment of other devices for that purpose.

J ournaled in the sides 9', in parallel rela tion with the hinge bar 7, is a rock shaft j extending beyond the outer faces of both the sides g. Fixed on the rock shaft 7' is an oscillating member is which, is shown in Fig. 3 to consist of a crank arm with a crank pin is, but it may consist of any mechanical equivalent.

Projecting from the arm e of the insulated support is a, in e", and connected with the pins 6" and is a motive spring Z.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, of the drawings, the rock: shaft is in parallel relation with and contiguous to the hinge bar f, and as the shaft j rocks, as hereinafter described, the oscillating member passes the vertical axis of the hinge bar when moving in either direction, and when moving in one direction, enables the motive spring [to effect a qulck separation of the movable contacts 0 from the stationary contacts I), and when moving in the opposite direction, enables the motive spring to effect the closing of the movable contacts against the stationary contacts.

The rock shaft j, at the opposite end to the oscillating member la, is provided with an engaging member m which, as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, consists of a pin inserted through the rock shaft.

Loosely mounted upon the rock shaft between the bracket 9 and the engaging member m, is the hub 0 of an 'arm 0 having a limited movement in each direction, independently of the engaging member m and rock shaft j. This arm 0 is provided with two lugs o", 0 at opposite sides of the hub 0, with an unoccupied space between them for the engaging member m, and of suificient width to permit of the limited oscillating movement of the arm when moving in either direction before the corresponding lug comes into contact with the engaging member. 1

Pivotally connected with the arm-0' is a screw-threaded link p having two sets p, p, of nuts thereon, adjustable to determine the length of movement of the lever arm to effect the openin or closin of the switch.

As shown in Figs. 1 3.1142? 2, the switchboard with its related parts is fastened to a plate 9, and integral with or secured to the plate 9, is a pressure chamber 1", having a port 1" leading into it, the port 'r' being preferably screw-threaded to receive the pressure pipe 1". Screwed or otherwise fastened to the pressure chamber 1* and com- 45' municating therewith, is a housing .9, and contained between the pressure chamber 1' and the housing a is a diaphragms' acted upon by the pressure fluid within the chamher 1'. Within the housing. is a plunger 8 extending through the housing and through a tension cup t screwed orotherwise adj ustable on the housing and having a head 8 enaging the diaphragm. Contained between 51c head 8 of the diaphragm and the inner surface of the cup t is a compression spring 15' resisting the pressureon the diaphragm s, and restoring the diaphragm, plunger and connected parts to their normal position when-the pressure is relieved Pivoted or hinged to the plunger 8" is a lever u fulcrumedat u to an arm u suspended from the housing 8. Through the lever is beyond the fulcrum u, is a hole a for the link 12, the hole a being relatively larger than the diameter of the link to perunison with it.

mit of the swinging movement of the lever without coming into contact with the link, as the lever turns on its fulcrum a.

One set 9 of adjusting nuts is located on one side of the lever, and the other set 12' on the other side of the lever, there being a relatively considerable distance between the two sets, the sets 12, p being adjusted on the link 10 to determine the lengthof movement of the lever it before actuating the link 7) and arm 0'. y

The operation of the apparatus is as follows: The cup 25 is regulated to increase or decrease the tension of the spring 1? and determine the pressure at which the plunger 8 moves. The pressure fluid, enterin the pressure chamber 7' through the port 7 acts upon the diaphragm s -and' forces it downward in the housing and the plunger 8' outward. The plunger s",.during its out ward movement and bearing against the lever u, rocks thelever on its fulcrum a and lifts the free end of the lever. end of the lever rises, it engages with the set 9' of adjusting nuts and lifts the link 72 in This lifting movement of the link ;0 turns the ann 0 on the rock shaft j and brings the lug 0" into contact with the engaging member m. The continued movement ofthe arm 0 and lug 0" turns the engaging member and rock shaft to move the oscillating member-k in the direction indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2.

When the pin is of the oscillating member is passes the vertical axis of the rock shaft, the motive spring Z quickly draws the insu- As the free lated support toward and into position 4 against the side 9" and effects a quick separation of the movablecontacts c. from the stationary cont-acts b, openin the circuit from the terminals 6'' through is e stationary contacts 6, movable contacts c, to the bind ing screws 0 which are connected by flexible conductors h with the terminals 2. Until the pin 70' passes the vertical axis of the rock shaft, no movement of the insulated support can occur, and consequently the movable contacts are maintained in engagement with the stationary contacts. When the pin k? asses the vertical axis of the rock shaft t e tension of the spring throws the oscillating member quickly past the ver-' tical axis of the hinge bar f, and when the" pink clears the vertical axis of the hi ar, it draws the movable support with it, and effects the instantaneous separation of the movable contacts from the stationary contacts, thus quickly destroying'the are reioe sulting from such separation and minimiz- I 'ing the erosion of-the contacts.

ne'rnaao separated from the stationary contacts Z). When the pressure in the pressure chamber 1' falls'below that at which the apparatus is set, the diaphragm and plunger will rise under the influence of the compression spring t and, as they rise, the lever u will return to its normal position. As the diaphragm returns to its normal position, it will enga e the adjustable nuts 3) and draw downwar the link 9, the downward movement of which rocks the arm 0 in the reverse direction to that previously described and brings the lug 0 into contact with the engaging member m, and turns the engaging member m and rock shaft j in the opposite direction to its previous motion. This turning movement of the rock shaft in the opposite direction to its previous motion, will move the oscillating member is toward the position shown in full lines in Fig. 2, and carry the pin is past the vertical axis of the hinge bar.

As the pin it passes the vertical axis of the hinge bar 7 when moving toward the position shown in full lines in Fig. 3, the

motive spring Z, drawing upon the insulated support, will close the movable contacts against the stationary contacts and thus complete the circuit from the terminals 1) through the stationary contacts 6, movable contacts 0, binding screws 0', flexible connectors k, to the terminals 2'.

A switch of this kind is particularly de signed for controlling the circuit of an elec tric current to an electric motor operating a pump for a water system. In a case of this kind, the electric motor is connected by appropriate conductors with the terminals 2', and the pump is provided with a pressure pipe connected with the port 1" of the pressure chamber.

The present switch is in circuit with the power conductors, and the current is controlled through this apparatus by a cut out switch.

The normal position of the parts is that shown in full lines, in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. When it is necessary to start the motor, the cut-out switch is closed, and the circuit of the current then passes from the terminals 7) and stationary contacts I) to the movable contacts 0, binding screws 0, flexible connectors II, and terminals 2', to the motor. The motor, actuating the pumping system, sets up a pressure in the pressure chamber 1", and when this pressure attains or exceeds that at which the tension spring t is set, the lever 'u is actuated to rock the shaft and so position the oscillating member that the motive spring Z, drawing upon the insulated support, will eifect a quick separa-' tion of the movablecontacts from the stationary contacts, the movement of the oscillating member in this direction being limited by a stop 9 on the bracket g. When the pressure is decreased belowthat at positions to effect the alternate movements of the insulated support.

A construction of this kind avoids the necessity of skilled persons being employed to either install the switch or to regulate "it, as it is impossible for the parts, when once adjusted, to get out of order or to rerequire resetting, as is the case with other switches designed for the same purpose, and with a pressure gage on the system, it is possible to regulate the tension cup and set the parts to operate at any predetermined pressure.

, Having thus fully described the nature of my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:-

1. A switch comprising two stationary contacts, two movable contacts opposed thereto, an insulated switch bar to which the movable contacts are attached, .a swinging support for the switch bar by which the movable contacts are brought into open or closed relation with the stationary contacts, a hinge rod for the swinging support, a rock shaft, a crank arm fixed on the rock shaft, a spring connected with the crank arm and swinging support, and appropriate motive means for oscillating the rock shaft, whereby the crank arm as it passes the axis of the hinge bar when moving in one direction will cause the spring to actuate the swinging support and effect the separation of the movable contacts from the fixed contacts, and when it passes the axis of the hinge bar during its movement in the opposite direction will cause the spring to actuate the swinging support and close the movable contacts against the stationary contacts. a

2. In an electric switch, the combination of a switchboard, two stationary contacts mounted thereon, a bracket connected with the switchboard, a hinge bar mounted in the bracket, two movable contacts opposed to the stationary contacts, an insulated support carrying the movable contacts and swinging from the hinge bar to brin the movable contacts into open or closed re ation .with the stationary contacts, a rock shaft journaled in the bracket, an oscillating member connected with the rock shaft moving alternately to opposite sides of the axis of the hinge bar, a spring connected with the oscillating member andwith theswinging support, appropriate motive means for oscillating the rock shaft whereby the oscillating member as it passes the axis of the hinge bar in one direction will cause the spring to eflect the movement of the swinging support for the separation of the movalblecontacts from the fixed contacts, and as it passes the axis of the hinge bar in the opposite direction will cause the spring to effect the movement of the swinging support for the closing ofthe movable contacts against the stationary contacts.

3. An electric switch comprising stationary contacts, movable contacts opposed thereto, a rockable insulated support for the movable contacts, a rock-shaft, a crank at one end of the rock-shaft swinging to opposite sides of the fulcrum of the rockable support, a spring, connected to the crank and to the rockable support inoperative during the movement of the crank, and adapted to bring the movable contacts instantaneously into open and closed relation with the stationary contacts when the crank swings respectively to opposite sides of the fulcrum,

and a push and pull device at the other end. of the rock-shaft actuating it for the movement of the movable contacts.

4. An electric switch comprising stationary contacts, movable contacts opposed thereto, a rockable insulated support for the movable contacts, a rock-shaft, a crank at one end of the rock-shaft swinging to opposite sides ofthe fulcrum o fthe rockahle support, a spring connected to the crank and to the rockalble support inoperative during the movement of the crank, and adapted to bring the movable contacts instantaneously into open and closed relation with the stationary contacts when the crank swings respectively to opposite sides of the fulcrum, a push and pull device atc-the other end of the rock-shaft actuating it for the movement of the movable contacts, and fiuidpressure means actuating the push and pull device.

Toronto, June 7th, 1916.

MARTIN J. QUINN.

Signed in the presence of- CHAS. H. Rzoms, EDWARD V. BERNSTEIN. 

